MATHARPACADY VILLAGE

Author: Stanislaus Baptista

  • Whist Drive – 10th December 2019

    Whist Drive – 10th December 2019

             

    Whist Drives organized by the Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association at St. Isabel’s High School hall have become a regular feature since the past four years.  The Whist Drive on Tuesday evening, 10th December 2019 was under the leadership of Stanislaus Baptista and Dennis Baptista. The  twenty four happy  participants were eagerly applying their minds and skills at this enjoyable card game in friendship and cheer, in two sessions of six card games each. Hot tea, Bread Rolls and Biscuits were freely served at the half time break. 

    Attractive cash prizes were awarded to many winners from the highest to even the lowest scores.  The delighted recipients – Mr. Clifford Khan, with 92 points was the first prize winner with highest points. The prize for the highest score in the first half was awarded to Mrs. Claire Fernandes with  45 points and the prize for the highest score in the second half was won by Ms. Joan Nazareth with 46 points. The prize for the lady with the lowest score was given to Mr. Dennis Baptista (who played as a lady) with 70 points and the prize for the gent with the lowest score was given to Mr. Trevor D’Sylva (71 points). They all received the gifts to much applause from all the others present.

    Mr. Dennis Baptista, thanked the participants and guests for making this a happy memorable function, besides the Trustees & Management of St. Isabel;s High School for the use of their premises He wished the participants, best wishes for the Christmas Season and the New Year. The Welfare Associations purpose is to bring families closer together at these functions, fostering a spirit of friendship and co-operation so as to strengthen and build the Catholic community.

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  • Whist Drive – 12th November 2019

    Whist Drive – 12th November 2019

          

    The Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association organised the Whist Drive at St. Isabel’s High School hall on, 12th November 2019. Mr. Stanislaus Baptista alongwith Mr. Dennis Baptista helped to conducted the Whist Drive. The  twenty four participants were eagerly applying their minds and skills at this enjoyable card game in friendship and cheer, in two sessions of six card games each. Hot tea, biscuits and piping hot snacks were served at the break. 

    Before starting the Whist Drive, Mr. Dennis Baptista requested all the participants to stand up in silence to pray for the repose of the soul of Mr. Gerard Viegas who had expired few days back. It was through the initiative of Mr. Gerard Viegas, that our Residents Association had started having these Whist Drives since July 2015.

    Attractive cash prizes were awarded to many winners from the highest to even the lowest scores.  The delighted recipients – Ms. Maryann D’Mello,  with 89 points was the first prize winner with the highest points. The prize for the highest score in the first half was awarded to Mrs. Clare Figueiredo with 48 points and the prize for the highest score in the second half was awarded to Mrs. Brenda Texeira with 47 points. The prize for the lady with the lowest score was given to Mrs. Judith Gore  (64 points) and the prize for the gent with the lowest score was given to Mr. Trevor D’Sylva (71 points). All the winners received their gifts to much applause from all the others present.

    Mr. Dennis Baptista, thanked the participants and guests for making this a happy memorable function, besides the Trustees & Management of St. Isabels High School for the use of their premises.  The Rosarian Seniors have scheduled their Whist Drive on Tuesday, 19th November 2019 at 6.15 pm at the Rosary School basement while the MRWS has scheduled their next Whist Drive for Tuesday, 10th December 2019. The participants thanked the Committee members for bringing them together at these functions in the spirit of friendship and camaraderie before bidding “Good Night” and were looking forward to more such sessions.

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  • Whist Drive – 15th October 2019

    Whist Drive – 15th October 2019

        

    Whist Drives organized by the Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association at St. Isabel’s hall have been a regular feature. The Whist Drive on Tuesday evening, 15th October 2019, was  under the leadership of Stanislaus Baptista and Dennis Baptista. We had seven tables comprising of a total twenty eight participants in two sessions of six card games each. All the  participants were eagerly applying their minds and skills at this enjoyable card game. Hot tea, Vegetable bread rolls and Biscuits were freely served at the half time break. 

    Attractive cash prizes were awarded to many winners from the highest to even the lowest scores.  The delighted recipients – Mr. Clifford Khan with 91 points won the first prize with the highest points in both sessions. The prize for the highest score in the first half was given to Ms. Mary Ann D’Mello with  47 points and the prize for the highest score in the second half was awarded to  Mr. Dennis Baptista with 48 points. The prize for the lady with the lowest score was given to Mrs. Judith Gore with 67 points and the prize for the gent with the lowest score was shared by Mr. Jeffrey Fernandes and Mr. Joaquim Sequeira with 70 points each. They all received their prizes to much applause from all the others present.

    Mr. Dennis Baptista, thanked the participants and guests for making this a happy memorable function, besides the Trustees & Management of St. Isabels High School for the use of their premises. The Welfare Associations purpose is to bring families closer together at these functions, fostering a spirit of friendship and co-operation so as to strengthen and build the Catholic community.

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  • AGM Get Together – 28th September 2019

    AGM Get Together – 28th September 2019

                                      

    The AGM of the Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association was held on Saturday evening, September 28, 2019. Post the AGM, the Committee members organised a small get together for the members and their families. 

    It was an enjoyable evening with plenty of exciting games organised by Selma Pulical with the assistance of the other committee members. There were also some interesting spot prizes called out and a game of Human Housie. We had loads of scrumptious snacks being served in between the team games. Rodger Gonsalves gave us some lively music while Stan Baptista took care to capture all the excitement on his camera. 

    The evening came to a close with the distribution of prizes and the traditional group  photograph.  Almost everyone went home with hands laden with a prize and snacks. 

    The Welfare Associations purpose is to bring families closer together at these functions, fostering a spirit of friendship and co-operation so as to strengthen and build the Catholic community.

    Inputs from : Mrs. Selma Pulical

    Photographs – Courtesy : Stanislaus Baptista

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  • Whist Drive – 17th September 2019

    Whist Drive – 17th September 2019

     

    Whist Drives organized by the Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association at St. Isabel’s hall have been a regular monthly feature since the past three years.  However, in August 2019 the Whist Drive had to be cancelled due to inclement weather. The Whist Drive on Tuesday evening, 17th September 2019, was  under the leadership of Stanislaus Baptista and Dennis Baptista. There were seven tables of twenty eight participants in two sessions of six card games each. Mr. Dennis Baptista requested all to stand in silence in remembrance of the Late Mrs. Carole Viegas who expired in July. Mr. Noel Viegas spoke a few words about Carol and Dennis Baptista then lead all in a short prayer for the repose of her soul.  A prayer was also said for the repose of the soul of Mrs. Joan Saint-Prix (sister of Mr. Trevor D’Sylva – one of our regular participants) who expired earlier in the day.

    All the  participants were eagerly applying their minds and skills at this enjoyable card game to pleasantly pass the Monsoon blues away in friendship and cheer. Hot tea, Vegetable Bread Rolls and Biscuits were freely served at the half time break. 

    Attractive cash prizes were awarded to many winners from the highest to even the lowest scores.  The delighted recipients – Ms. Areta Pereira,  with 86 points was the first prize winner with highest points in both sessions. The prize for the highest score in the first half was shared by Mrs. Claire Figueiredo and Mr. Stanislaus Baptista with 45 points each, and the prize for the highest score in the second half was awarded to  Mr. Noel Viegas with 44 points. The prize for the lady with the lowest score was given to Mrs. Irene Nazareth  (65 points) and the prize for the gent with the lowest score was given to Mr. Joaquim Siqueira with 63 points. They all received the gifts to much applause from all the others present.

    Mr. Dennis Baptista thanked the participants and guests for making this a happy memorable function, besides the Trustees & Management of St. Isabels High School. Members of the Rosarian Seniors invited all present to come for the Whist Drive on Thursday, 26th September 2019 at 6.15 pm at Rosary Church, Dockyard Road, School basement. The Welfare Associations purpose is to bring families closer together at these functions, fostering a spirit of friendship and co-operation so as to strengthen and build the Catholic community.

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  • Carole Ann Viegas

    Carole Ann Viegas

     

    ‘May I write a blog on you” I asked Carole  Viegas when she visited me a month ago. Her immediate response was, ” I’d rather you don’t ” More like, I enjoy being the person who I am, and do not want any publicity.

    On Friday 19th July 2019,  I had attended the Eucharist and was due to visit the housebound with Holy Communion. As I commenced on my rounds, I thought of a few questions I would ask Carole on my visit to her home. …mainly for the intended blog on her,

    I reached the neighbourhood and realized   something was amiss at the Viegas household. I went up to her home. The silent group of people assembled with her husband Gerry, was enough to signal that Carole had already departed to her heavenly home. 

    Carole was always more concerned about Gerry’s health, both being cancer survivors. However she displayed tremendous courage and joie de vivre. Her daughter Gayle mentioned “ Mum was quite upset when first diagnosed;  but I encouraged her to be brave and battle it out. And she did heed that advice to be positive, and outgoing as before.  In fact her peaceful departure while asleep, was certainly a victory for her. It was more heart related , rather than the cancer.”

    Two days before her demise , I met her in the neighbourhood. She was  returning from  the  Bombay Institute for the Deaf and Dumb , where she worked to get donors involved.Her initial involvement was with the Board of the Institute. It was also her 75th birthday the previous week and I was so happy to wish her well. She lived life to the fullest.

    In our Village of Matharpacady, she was one of the most active residents. She was President of the Holy Cross Committee. We did not realise that The  Holy Cross Feast on 1stMay 2019 would be her last. We will miss the Meetings at her home before and after the feast. She also served as an animator of the Parish Zone 8 and earlier on the Parish Council of Rosary Church. But her notable contribution in the Church was her passion to sing in the choir. You could never miss seeing Carole for the mass choir, specially at the main feasts of Christmas and Easter. Most of all when people needed a choir for a funeral,  it did not matter who it was..she would always pitch in to help in the matter.

    Her special attribute was to be an ‘Encourager’. I say special, as she made it a point to find something good to say about any service done by people. Being a  beneficiary of it myself, I know how she has impacted many. Carole was very loving and  had no malice. She always strove for unity and went out of her way to overcome any differences. She could connect with people of all ages. At meetings she shared her opinion without ruffling feathers .

    I remember the early family days, when Carole’s home was full of life. There were parties, and songs floated into the night.  She and Gerry were good dancers. I think their jive was so relaxed that it looked as easy as ever.  An important event earlier was the celebration of their Golden Wedding . It was a very joyous occassion and well attended. Yes indeed , she was richly blest.

    I was amazed to see the church filled beyond capacity at her funeral mass. She had touched the lives of so many, who came specially to bid her farewell . Carole’s granddaughter Keira sang a beautiful hymn ‘Be Not Afraid’ , to reiterate that spirit of courage. Eulogies flowed from her children , grandchildren , and extended family. Her grandchildren Maya and Neel, recalled how she told them stories of the yesteryears and always encouraged them in their endeavours. Ignatius read out a message from her cousin Rosalind. Jordana her godchild, spoke lovingly about Carole. Even her former office colleague Marisa, shared some beautiful memories of her.

    Her son Garth mentioned that this was a celebration of her life well lived.  Yes , and the family did followup with this emotion at the end of the day. They bid her farewell that night the way she would have wanted , with joy and song.

    Farewell dear Carole…… May you rest in eternal peace with our Heavenly Father.

    Courtesy : Mr. Vincent Mascarenhas

  • Whist Drive – 9th July 2019

    Whist Drive – 9th July 2019

     

    The Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association organised the Whist Drive at St. Isabel’s High School hall on Tuesday evening, 9th July 2018. Mr. Stanislaus Baptista alongwith, Mr. Dennis Baptista, and Mrs. Carole Viegas conducted the Whist Drive. The  twenty happy  participants were eagerly applying their minds and skills at this enjoyable card game in friendship and cheer, in two sessions of six card games each. Hot tea, biscuits and piping hot vegetable bread rolls were served at the break. 

    Attractive cash prizes were awarded to many winners from the highest to even the lowest scores.  The joint first prize winner with the highest points was Mrs. Bene Figueiredo and Mr. Richard Braganza with 89 points each. The prize for the highest score in the first half was awarded to Mrs. Mildred Braganza with 48 points and the prize for the highest score in the second half was shared by Mrs. Judith Gore and Mr. Trevor D’Sylva with 47 points each. The prize for the lady with the lowest score was given to Ms. Maria Pereira with 67 points and the prize for the gent with the lowest score was awarded to Mr. Derrick Valladares (62 points). All the winners received their gifts to much applause from all the others present.

    Mr. Dennis Baptista, thanked the participants and guests for making this a happy memorable function, besides the Trustees & Management of St. Isabels High School for the use of their premises. The next Whist Drive was scheduled for Tuesday, 6th August 2019 at 6.00 pm.  The participants thanked the Committee members for bringing them together at these functions in the spirit of friendship and camaraderie before bidding “Good Night”.

     

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  • Whist Drive – 4th June 2019

    Whist Drive – 4th June 2019

     

            

    The Matharpacady Residents’ Welfare Association organised their monthly Whist Drive at St. Isabel’s High School on Tuesday, 4th June 2019.  Mr. Stanislaus Baptista ably handled this Whist Drive with support of other committee members. Twenty Eight participants and other guests were warmly greeted as they entered the hall.  Participants, four a table, were seated at numbered tables to enjoy this competitive card game.  The whist drive was in two sessions of six games each. The Whist Drive started at 6.00 P.M. Stanislaus Baptista also captured these moments on camera for us. Light refreshments of hot tea, Vegetable Bread Rolls and biscuits were served at the break in sessions.

    After the break, Mr. Dennis Baptista requested all the participants to stand in silence to pray and pay our respects to Mr. Brigalds D’Souza who expired in May 2019. 

    Highest scorers were awarded generous cash prizes.  The delighted recipients – Mr. Denis Charles,  with 89 points was the first prize winner with highest points. The prize for the highest score in the first half was awarded to Mrs. Joy Henriques with  46 points. The prize for the highest score in the second half was given to Mr. Maxim Rego  with 48 points each. The prize for the lady with the lowest score was shared by Mrs. Joanita DaCosta and Mrs. Clare Figueiredo  (66 points) while the prize for the gent with the lowest score was given to Mr. Clifford Khan (71 points). They all received their gifts with much applause from all present.

    Mr. Dennis Baptista, thanked all the participants and guests for making this a happy memorable function. The next Whist Drive was planned for Tuesday, 9th July 2019 at 6.00 pm. He  requested them to spread the word round so that we could have more participants.  He thanked the Management and Trustees of St. Isabel’s High School, for allowing us the use of the Hall and other amenities for all our functions. The Welfare Associations purpose is to bring families closer together at these functions, by fostering a spirit of friendship and co-operation so as to strengthen and build the Catholic community.

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  • Cross Feast Celebrations – 1st May 2019

    Cross Feast Celebrations – 1st May 2019

           

    On Wednesday evening, 1st May 2019, over 325 residents and friends assembled around the decorated stage and altar near the Holy Cross Oratory, to devoutly participate in praise, song and worship at the Feast Mass.  The Managing Committee organized the 144th Thanksgiving Novena Services and Feast Mass Celebrations.  This tradition has been handed down by our forefathers down the decades for well over a century to protect the resident families from the scourge of plague and pestilence.  The traditional Novena Services include the recitation of the Holy Rosary, and the Litany of Our Lady, the Litany of the Holy Cross and the Litany of St. Roque [patron saint to safeguard us from plague and pestilence].  The nine day Novena Services commenced on Easter Monday, 22nd April and were well attended.

     

    Reverend Father Lawrie Ferrao S.J., Parish Priest, St. Anne’s Church, Mazagon, was the Chief Celebrant at the Cross Feast Mass.  Reverend Father Ruban, of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, concelebrated the Feast Mass.  As the Priests solemnly came in procession from “Eymard Cottage” [Headquarters of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers at 22 Matharpacady] to the Altar, Mr. Noel Viegas welcomed them on behalf of the Managing Committee  and all present.  The choir, requested the faithful to join in singing the entrance hymn “Here We Are” whole-heartedly as the Eucharistic Sacrifice began.  During the homily, Father Lawrie emphasized on the need for all of us to accept our daily trials and tribulations in life as “Crosses” taking them up and bearing them in the spirit of true Christian faith. At the end of it all, it all comes down to the choices we make and how much we love. We have chosen to carry on this age old tradition of celebrating this feast, in thanksgiving to the Cross for having saved us from the plague which destroyed so many 144 years ago. And now in our daily lives, living here in Matharpacady, by consciously choosing to love and help each other, we thus pledge our love to the Cross, which saved us then and continues to save us now. The Celebrants blessed the congregation with the True Relic of the Cross as Holy  Mass ended. At her Vote of Thanks,  Mrs. Carole Viegas, President, expressed the Committee’s  gratitude to Rev. Fr. Lawrie Ferrao for celebrating the Feast Mass and his inspiring homily, to Rev. Fr. Peter J. and the Blessed Sacrament Fathers for their constant support to the community, Rev. Fr. Herman Almeida, our Parish Priest, the Choir, the Trustees of St. Isabel’s High School, decorators, donors, benefactors and volunteers. The choir sang harmoniously hymns of praise and worship as residents went to the Holy Cross Oratory to kiss and venerate the Relic of the Cross and collect their boiled gram, cake, patties and cold drink.    

    The melodious singing by Sarah Dias and Elijah Monteiro of a duet “A Million Dreams” kept the audience rapt with attention. There were repeated rounds of applause and appreciation from the audience for the two of them.  Thereafter, Desmond Baptista and Stanislaus Baptista kept folk happy and excited as they waited for Dame Fortune to smile on them during couple of games of “Housie”, Bingo! Many lucky ones did strike it rich on our Feast Day.

    Compiled by Stanislaus Baptista, Treasurer, Matharpacady Holy Cross Oratory Committee

     

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  • Whist Drive – 2nd April 2019

    Whist Drive – 2nd April 2019

             

    The Matharpacady Residents Welfare Association organised the Whist Drive at St. Isabel’s High School hall earlier on the evening of 2nd April 2019. Mr. Stanislaus Baptista, alongwith Mr. Dennis  Baptista helped to conducted the Whist Drive. The  thirty two happy  participants were eagerly applying their minds and skills at this enjoyable card game in friendship and cheer, in two sessions of six card games each.   Hot tea, biscuits and piping vegetable bread rolls were served at the break.

    Attractive cash prizes were awarded to many winners from the highest to even the lowest scores.  The delighted recipients – Mr. Clifford Khan,  with 89 points was the first prize winner with the highest points. The prize for the highest score in the first half went to Mrs. Bene Figueiredo with 48 points and the prize for the highest score in the second half was awarded to Mrs. Irene Nazareth with 50 points. The prize for the lady with the lowest score went to Mrs. Viloo Shroff with 68 points and the prize for the gent with the lowest score was awarded to  Mr. Clyde Soares with 66 points. All the winners received their gifts to much applause from all the others present.

    Mr. Stanislaus Baptista, thanked the participants and guests for making this a happy memorable function, besides the Trustees & Management of St. Isabels High School for the use of their premises. The next Whist Drive has been planned for Tuesday, 7th May 2019 at 6.00 pm. The participants thanked the Committee members for bringing them together at these functions in the spirit of friendship and camaraderie before bidding “Good Night” and were looking forward to more such sessions.

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